Title:
Nanofiber Reinforced UHPC for Enhanced Crack Control and Enhanced Durability
Author(s):
Liberato Ferrara
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S23_NovelP1_LiberatoFerrara.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
4/2/2023
Abstract:
Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) features outstanding durability properties in uncracked state, though its composition based on very low water/cement ratios may result into a higher risk of early age cracking due to increased, mainly autogenous, shrinkage. To this purpose, the objective of this study is to analyze the synergy between crystalline admixtures (CA) and nano-constituents (alumina nanofibers, ANF, and cellulose nanocrystals, CNC), on the physical, chemical, mechanical, durability properties and self-healing capacity of un-cracked and cracked UHPC. In this paper, whose activity has been performed in the framework of the H2020 project ReSHEALience, chemical aggressive exposure conditions have been selected, represented by both natural geothermal water obtained from a geothermal plant and a lab-formulated chloride polluted solution. Besides a UHPC reference mix with 0.8% CA, two other mixes have been investigated, respectively containing 0.25% ANF and 0.15% CNCs (by weight of cement). The physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the investigated composites have been analyzed both at the micro- and macro-scale level.